Glass Candle Holders

Matching a candle to a glass candle holder

Start with the candle you plan to burn, because it settles which holder you need. We stock glass tealight holders, and a tealight is the easiest candle to live with: burned in its own cup, it keeps wax off the glass and is simple to swap once it has gone out. For dinner candles, we stock a few glass candlestick holders; check that your candle will stand snug and straight in the socket.

Pillar candles need more room, so choose a hurricane or lantern with generous space inside and check its measurements on the product page against your candle. If you would rather avoid a naked flame, LED candles suit any of our glass candle holders.

How glass candle holders shape the light

The glass decides how the flame looks once it is lit. Some of our holders are in clear glass, which shows the flame plainly and suits any colour scheme. Some are in smoked glass, which dims the light to a soft, low glow.

You will also find some in amber glass, which warms the flame to a honeyed tone. Some are in other coloured glass, which casts a gentle tint across the table. Some have hammered glass, whose dimpled surface scatters the light into small points. A few have ribbed glass, which breaks the glow into fine lines. Some are made from recycled glass, if that matters to you.

Glass hurricane and lantern candle holders

A hurricane sets a glass shade around the candle, which helps keep a draught off the flame and gives a steadier light. A lantern does the same job inside a frame. A few come with a glass cloche over the candle, like a bell jar. For a long table, a few hold multiple candles at once.

Many designs come in a choice of sizes, so a large and a small can stand side by side. Check the measurements and weight on the product page before you buy: height tells you whether a holder will block the view across a dining table, width whether it fits a narrow mantelpiece, and weight how steady it will feel among plates and glasses.

Glass candle holder finishes and styles

Many of our glass candle holders pair the glass with metal, and the finish sets the tone. We stock brass finishes and antique, aged looks that sit well in a traditional or rustic room. Many come in black, which gives a crisp outline against pale walls, and many are made with iron.

Some add wood for a warmer, more natural feel. We stock rustic designs to go with exposed brick and old timber. Some are modern in style, which suits a simpler room. Some have a Scandinavian look for a calm, uncluttered space.

Glass candle holders around the home

Most of our glass candle holders are at home in a living room, on a coffee table, a side table or a hearth. Many suit a dining room, where a row of low holders down the table gives a warm light to eat by. Some suit a hallway, on a console table well away from coats. A few are intended for outdoor use, so check the product page before you take any holder outside.

To group them, mix heights, keep to a single finish or glass colour, and leave a little space between the flames. A tray under a cluster of glass tealight holders catches drips and lets you move the group once the candles are out.

Cleaning a glass candle holder

Let the holder cool completely first, because hot glass can crack if it meets cold water. Leave any spilt wax to harden, then lift it away with your fingers or a wooden spatula rather than a knife. Wash the glass in warm soapy water with a soft sponge, skip scourers and harsh cleaners, and finish with a lint-free cloth to avoid streaks.

Only use a dishwasher where the product page says you can. Wipe metal or wooden parts with a soft, dry cloth rather than soaking them, and if the glass lifts out of its frame, wash it on its own. Trimming the wicks on pillar and dinner candles before you light them means less soot on the glass next time.

Using glass candle holders safely

Glass gets hot near a flame, so treat a lit holder as too hot to touch and let it cool before you move it. Never leave a lit candle unattended, and keep it clear of curtains, blinds and anything else that could catch. Stand the holder on a flat, heat-resistant surface, out of reach of children and pets and away from draughts.

Choose a candle that leaves a gap between the flame and the glass, and put it out once it burns low rather than letting it gutter in the base. Where a real flame feels unwise, an LED candle gives a similar soft glow.